A
17-member team of students, parents, community members, and educators
has been formed to develop highly rigorous academic program options in
grades 10 through 12 as an alternative to the traditional comprehensive
high school experience.

The “High School Academic Options Lead Team”will begin meeting on May 28 and plans to submit a report of its work and recommendations to the school board in October.

The
district spent time earlier this school year meeting on North Hill with
families, including parents of students identified as highly capable,
to explore the idea of opening an international school for grades 10-12
on the Edgemont Junior High campus.

The
lead team will build on that research by exploring a “best fit” for the
Edgemont Junior High campus and community, according to the scope of
work listed in its charter.

The
newly formed group is also being charged with presenting the school
board with a list of options explored during its meetings. When
possible, the report will include an explanation of the benefits and
challenges of each option.

Additionally,
the newly formed group will consider research under way by a study
group made up of junior high and high school educators. The Secondary
Highly Capable Study Group has been exploring the possibility of
initiating an International Baccalaureate (IB) program in this district.

The
study group has already toured several Washington schools that offer
the international education program and attended an IB training
workshop.

Membership for the new High School Academic Options Lead Team includes: